The services sector plays an increasingly important role in the global economy and the growth and development of countries.

Services are becoming crucial in a country's development, including in achieving the Millennium Development Goals, such as poverty reduction and access to basic services, including education and health services.

UNCTAD has implemented a comprehensive work programme on services, trade and development with a view to assisting developing countries in developing their services sectors, increasing their participation in services trade and realizing development benefits. This work enjoys extensive complementarity between the three pillars of UNCTAD's operations.

The fourth session of the Multi-year Expert Meeting on Trade, Services and Development examined experiences and lessons learned in promoting coherence between policies, regulations and trade liberalization approaches, so as to support services sectors.

UNCTAD presented its report on international trade and development before the United Nations General Assembly, highlighting the trade inequality that persists between countries and warrants urgent policy attention.

Effective use and access of available, affordable, convenient, quality, and sustainable financial services contributes to poverty reduction and economic and social development, say UNCTAD in a new Policy Brief.